Container with slidable lid and lifting feature

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a container ( 1 ) for rod-shaped items, with a box ( 3 ) and a lid ( 2 ), wherein the box ( 3 ) comprises an opening at the top. The container further comprises a sheet-like connecting means ( 21, 22, 23 ) connected to the lid, wherein the sheet-like connecting means ( 21, 22, 23 ) is arranged vertically slidable relative to the box, such that the lid ( 2 ) and the connecting means ( 21, 22, 23 ) are movable from a lower position to an upper position. The connecting means ( 21, 22, 23 ) is adapted to vertically lift at least one rod-shaped item by a predetermined distance when the lid is moved from the lower position to the upper position.

The present invention relates to a container for rod-shaped items, suchas for example smoking articles.

For example, International Patent Application WO-A-2004/089785 shows acontainer for smoking articles, wherein the lid is attached to aslidable connecting means such that the lid and the box of the containerare slidable relative to each other.

Today, the packaging of rod-shaped items, such as smoking articles,tends to be very compact. In particular, smoking articles such ascigarettes are packed in a tightly nesting collation. The compactpackaging helps to adequately protect the items in the container andreduces the amount of material needed. This allows for a cost effectiveuse of packaging material. However, first item from a full container maybe difficult.

It is known from the International Patent Application WO-A-2011/012235to provide containers comprising smoking articles with lifting means,which have engaging portions to engage a part of the smoking articles.

It would be desirable to provide a container for items that is adaptedto facilitate the access to rod-shaped items in a container. Further, itwould be desirable to provide a novel way of presenting items to aconsumer.

According to the invention a container for rod-shaped items is provided,the container comprising a box and a lid. The box comprises an openingat the top. The container further comprises a sheet-like connectingmeans connected to the lid, wherein the sheet-like connecting means isvertically slidable relative to the box, such that the lid and theconnecting means are movable from a lower position to an upper position.According to the invention, the connecting means is adapted tovertically lift at least one rod-shaped item by a predetermined distancewhen the lid is moved from the lower position to the upper position.Thus, the movement of the connecting means enables a lifting movement ofthe lid of the container, and also allows lifting a rod-shaped item atthe same time.

Preferably, the connecting means is adapted to vertically lift the atleast one rod-shaped item between about 0.5 cm and about 3 cm.Preferably, the connecting means is adapted to vertically lift the atleast one rod-shaped item between about 5 percent and about 40 percentof the length of the rod-shaped item. Vertically lifting at least onerod-shaped item by this distance advantageously increases the engageablesurface of the rod-shaped item, such that the rod-shaped item can be forexample grasped more easily by a consumer.

Preferably, the sheet-like connecting means is formed from a blankcomprising panels which depend from each other via folding lines. Inparticular, the connecting means is arranged completely within thecontainer. In one embodiment, the connecting means is adapted to engagethe rod-shaped items at the lower end side. However, in otherembodiments, the connecting means may be adapted to engage therod-shaped items at a side or an upper end of the rod-shaped items. Inparticular, the connecting means may be adapted to engage with arod-shaped item at a step in the nappe of the rod-shaped item, such asfor example the end of a tipping paper of a smoking article.

The connecting means is adapted to engage preferably one, two, three,four, five, six, seven or more rod-shaped items, in particular smokingarticles. In particular, the connecting means may be adapted to engageone row of rod-shaped items in the container. The one or more rod-shapeditems that are at least partially lifted are easier to access for aconsumer. Advantageously, once lifted, a larger engageable surface ofthe the rod-shaped item is accessible for the consumer. At the sametime, the frictional forces between the lifted rod-shaped item orrod-shaped items and the remaining rod-shaped items are reduced.

The terms “front”, “back”, “upper”, “lower”, “side”, “top”, “bottom” andother terms used to describe relative positions of the components ofcontainers according to the invention refer to the container in anupright position with the lid at the top end. The terms “left” and“right” are used with reference to left and right side walls of thecontainer when the container is viewed from the front in its uprightposition. When the container in the upright position is open, theconsumer articles contained in the box may be removed from the upper endof the container. The term “longitudinal” refers to a direction frombottom to top or vice versa, namely the vertical direction defining theheight of the container in an upright orientation. The term “transverse”refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction acrossthe front wall or the back wall, namely the horizontal directiondefining the width of the container in an upright orientation, or to adirection perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and across one ofthe left or right side walls, namely the horizontal direction definingthe depth of the container in an upright orientation.

The term “hinge line” refers to a line about which the lid may bepivoted in order to open the container. A hinge line may be, forexample, a fold line or a score line in the connecting means or lid ofthe container. Alternatively, a hinge line may be a fold line or a scoreline in a piece of material bridging the lower edge of the back wall ofthe lid and the upper edge of the connecting means. Such a piece ofmaterial may be, for example, a label that is permanently or removablyattached to the back wall of the lid and the connecting means.Preferably, the hinge line is positioned along the back wall of thecontainer.

The box and the lid of the container may be each formed by folded blankscomprising several panels. The lid and the connecting means may beformed from one blank, or the lid may be attached to the connectingmeans. In particular, the lid may be connected to the connecting meansby an adhesive coated strip attached to both the lid and the connectingmeans and forming the hinge line between the connecting means and thelid. Alternatively, the connecting means may comprise a lid fixationpanel pivotably depending from a central panel of the connecting means,wherein the lid is attached to the lid fixation panel. The attachmentmay be effected by adhesive.

In one embodiment, the container is adapted to prevent a pivotablemovement of the lid where the lid is in the lower position.

Thus, in this embodiment, in order to open the container, the consumerneeds to first lift the lid before pivoting the lid into an openposition, such that at least one rod-shaped item is already lifted whenthe consumer pivots the lid open. In particular, in the lower position,the closed lid is engaged with the box such that the lid cannot bepivoted, while in the second position, the container is openable bypivoting the lid with respect to the connecting portion. For thispurpose, the lid may be engaged in the lower position with an innerframe that is attached to the box and reaches into the lid in the lowerposition.

When the rod-shaped items are automatically lifted together with thelid, a surprising effect for the consumer can be obtained, as the lidmay cover the rod-shaped items during the lifting process, and when thelid is opened in the lifted position, the rod-shaped items, inparticular smoking articles, have already been lifted.

In another embodiment, the container is adapted such that in the lowerposition and in the upper position of the lid the container is openableby pivoting the lid with respect to the connecting means. Thus, theconsumer can choose whether he first opens the lid by pivoting it orfirst slides the lid vertically upwards. The consumer might just hingeopen the lid of the container, without using the sliding feature. Thedesign gives the consumer the choice whether he wants to lift the atleast one rod-shaped item with the connecting means, or whether he justwants to grasp the at least one rod-shaped item when the lid is pivotedopen.

In one embodiment, the connecting means comprises a central panel suchthat the lid pivotably depends from the upper side of the central panel.The central panel preferably has at least one section, wherein the widthof the section substantially corresponds to the width of the inside ofthe box. The lid may be fixed to a lid fixation panel which depends viaa folding line from the central panel. In particular, the lid may befixed by adhesive to the lid fixation panel. Alternatively, theconnecting means and the lid may be formed from one blank and dependfrom each other via a folding line forming a hinge line.

Preferably, the central panel of the connecting means is arrangedadjacent and parallel to the inner side of the back wall of the box.Thus, the central panel can be arranged with little space requirements.Further, the back wall may assist in guiding the movement of the centralpanel.

In one embodiment, at least one engagement flap depends via a foldingline from the central panel and is adapted to engage with at least onerod-shaped item in the container. Where the engagement flap engages thenappe of the rod-shaped items, it may be arranged at various positionsregarding the vertical extension of the central panel.

Preferably, the at least one engagement flap depends from a lower sideof the central panel, and the engagement flap is adapted to engage thelower end side of at least one rod-shaped item. As the engagement flapon the lower side of the central panel may be provided adjacent to thebox bottom wall, it can engage the lowermost end of rod-shaped itemsnext to the box bottom wall. This provides a secure engagement and mayfacilitate the lifting of the at least one rod-shaped item.

In one embodiment, the engagement flap extends along the whole width ofthe central panel. In particular, the central panel has at least a lowerportion, wherein the lower portion of the central panel substantiallyhas the width of the box. Thus, a whole row of rod-shaped items adjacentof the engagement flap can be engaged and lifted by the engagement flap.Alternatively, the engagement flap may extend only across part of therow of rod-shaped items adjacent to the engagement flap, such that onlyone or a few rod-shaped items in the row adjacent to the engagement flapare lifted. Alternatively or in addition, the engagement flap may extendfurther into the interior of the box, such that also rod-shaped itemsmay be lifted that are not directly adjacent to the engagement flap. Forexample, in a container with three rows of rod-shaped items, theengagement flap may be adapted to lift three rod-shaped items from theback row, that is, the row of rod-shaped items adjacent to theengagement flap, two rod-shaped items from the middle row and onerod-shaped item from the first row. Of course, many other arrangementscan be realized.

In one embodiment, a side flap is depending from a transverse edge ofthe central panel, the side flap extending at least partially parallelto a side wall of the box. The transverse edge of the central panel isusually the edge of the central panel arranged closest to the respectiveside wall of the box. The side flap preferably extends at leastpartially adjacent and parallel to the left side wall or right side wallof the box. Furthermore, side flaps may be arranged on both sides of thecentral panel, thus extending at least partially parallel to both theleft and right side wall of the box. In particular, the side flap may beguided in a slit formed in between a guiding panel and a wall of thebox. This guiding panel may in particular be provided by an inner framearranged within the box. In particular, the slit may be formed betweenthe edge of an inner side wall provided by the inner frame and the backwall of the box.

In one embodiment, the side flap is connected to the at least oneengagement flap. Thus, the engagement flap may be further stabilized,such that the engagement flap can exert a sufficient lifting force tothe rod-shaped items. Preferably, the engagement flap extendssubstantially horizontal.

In particular, the side flap may be connected by means of adhesive tothe engagement flap. The connection in between the side flap and theengagement flap may be via a connection tab. A connection tab dependingfrom the engagement flap may be connected to the side flap, or aconnection tab depending from the side flap may be connected to theengagement flap. These connections may be carried out by means ofadhesive. The connection tab may depend via a folding line from theengagement flap or from the side flap or both. The connection in betweenthe side flap and the engagement flap provides additional stabilization.In particular, both side flaps may be connected to one engagementportion. This type of engagement portion preferably extends over thewhole width of the lower edge of the central panel.

In some embodiments, the central panel is provided with a portion ofincreased friction. For example, the portion of increased friction maybe provided with low tack adhesive, embossing or a felt like structure.This portion of increased friction may increase the friction between therod-shaped items to be lifted and the connection means. This mayadvantageously split the force needed to lift the one or more rod-shapeditems between the central panel and the engagement flap. Further, as theincreased friction between the central panel and the one or morerod-shaped items in the portion of increased friction is independent ofthe direction of movement of the connecting means, the portion ofincreased friction may be utilized to move the lifted rod-shaped itemsback into the box, should there be no need to remove them. The increasedfriction between the portion of increased friction and the rod-shapeditem may slightly increase the total needed force to remove therod-shaped item or goods that have been lifted. Nevertheless, thisadditional force needed is easily overcome by the increased engageablesurface that is exposed when the rod-shaped item has been lifted atleast partially through the opening of the box.

In some embodiments, an inner frame is arranged in the box, and theconnecting means and the inner frame are adapted such that a dead stopfor the connecting means is provided by the inner frame. Preferably, themaximum lifting height is up to about 30 mm. The dead stop may bedefined by a predetermined length of the slit in the inner frame thatguides the side flap. Alternatively, the connecting means may have aprotrusion, which engages with a protrusion of the box. Theseprotrusions may particularly be provided by flaps of the panels, whichare either folded such that they engage with each other, or are glued towalls of the box or to the connecting means to form a step. The deadstop may be provide by an inner frame, which comprises a side wall and aback wall, wherein the side flap of the connecting means is guided inbetween the side wall of the inner frame and the back wall of the boxuntil it comes into engagement with the back wall of the inner frame.

In one embodiment, the back wall of the box comprises a substantiallyrectangular recess, having the width of the hinge line connecting theconnecting means and the lid. This facilitates the guiding of theconnecting means.

Alternatively or in addition, an inner frame of the box may provide therecess. In this embodiment, the inner frame is in particular fixed tothe inside of the walls of the box. The recess may be formed in betweentwo panels of the inner frame which are provided at opposite sides ofthe back wall in a distance to each other.

Preferably, the inner frame is provided inside the box and protrudesover the upper edge of the outer box walls. Thus, the inner frame isarranged more towards the inside of the box than the remaining outer boxwalls. The lid can be arranged on the inner frame such that the walls ofthe lid are aligned with the outer box walls. Preferably, the loweredges of the lid abut with the upper edges of the box outer walls atleast along a section of the container, for example along the respectiveleft, right, back or front wall panels. In one embodiment all verticallid walls have the same height. Alternatively or in addition, allvertical box walls may have the same height. Thus it is possible, thatthe container comprises a single line of abutment that runs at the sameheight around the entire container.

Alternatively or in addition, one or more cut-outs may be provided atthe edges in either the lid walls or box walls, such that the innerframe is visible through the cut-out even when the lid is in the lowerposition. Thus, additional design elements, such as a print on the innerframe, may become visible to the consumer.

In one embodiment, an engagement means is arranged slidably in thevertical direction in the connecting means, wherein the engagement meansis adapted to engage at least one rod-shaped item and to remainstationary in a first stage of the lifting movement of the connectingmeans by sliding with respect to the connecting means, wherein theengagement means is further adapted such that it engages and moves withthe connecting means during a second stage of the lifting movement ofthe connecting means, for lifting the at least one rod-shaped item.Thus, the engagement means only starts lifting the at least onerod-shaped item after coming into contact with a dead stop at the end ofits sliding movement with respect to the connecting means. Inparticular, the engagement means remains substantially stationary duringthe first stage of the lifting movement of the connecting means. If theengagement means remains stationary for half the lifting movement in theupwards direction of the connecting means, the respective rod-shapeditem would only be lifted half the way with respect to the movement ofthe connecting means. Thus, different lifting heights for severalrod-shaped items can be obtained with respect to a defined liftingheight of the connecting means, in particular by providing severalengagement means with different maximal vertical sliding differences.

In a further embodiment, an additional sliding means can be providedwhich is adapted to be engaged by the connecting means after a certainmovement distance of the connecting means, wherein the further slidingmeans provides engagement means which lift at least some of therod-shaped items. In particular, the side flap of the connecting meansmay engage the additional sliding means.

In one embodiment, an engagement means, in particular an engagementflap, depends from the side flap. This provides that the rod-shapeditems at the side of the container can be lifted as well. Thisengagement means may relate to a separate engagement flap, which is notconnected to the central panel. Further, the engagement flap may connectthe two side flaps, such as to lift a whole row, for example the middleor front row, of the rod-shaped items in the container box.

In one embodiment, a front panel depends from the front of the sideflaps and extends parallel and adjacent to the inner side of the frontwall of the box, wherein an engagement means is provided on the frontpanel. Thus, the front row of rod-shaped items or at least somerod-shaped items of the front row may be engaged by the engagement meansand lifted. The engagement means may also be slidable in the front panelin a similar manner as defined in the embodiment regarding slidablyarranged engagement means. Thus, different lifting heights can beobtained. The engagement means may in particular be an engagement flap,which depends via a folding line from the lower side of the front panel.

In particular, the rod-shaped items may be wrapped in an inner liner,which facilitates the packing of the rod-shaped items in the container,where the rod-shaped items are provided as a bundle of rod-shaped items.The rod-shaped items are preferably smoking articles such as, forexample, cigarettes. In particular, the inner liner may be made ofaluminium foil, metalized paper or other sheet-like foldable materials.In one embodiment, the connecting means may at least partially beprovided in the inner liner, namely in between the inner liner and therod-shaped items. However, in most embodiments, the connecting means isarranged in between the box and the inner liner. To enable the liftingfeature, in particular the relative vertical movement of individualrod-shaped items with respect to each other, the inner liner may beprovided with cutting lines or weakening lines, such as scoring lines orpartially cut lines. In particular, the cutting lines or weakening linesare provided around the edges of the engagement means or engagementflaps. Thus, the lifting of at least one rod-shaped item which iscomprised in an inner liner together with other rod-shaped items whichare not lifted is possible.

Preferably, the inner frame is mounted within the box, wherein the innerframe extends above the upper edges of at least the front wall of thebox of the container. The inner frame is therefore visible to theconsumer when the lid is opened. The front wall of the inner frame maybe printed with indicia which may be the same as, or different to theindicia printed on the front wall of the box. Alternatively, or inaddition, the front wall of the inner frame may be cut into adistinctive shape, for example, to reflect the branding of therod-shaped items. If required, the inner frame may comprise a line ofweakness to facilitate flattening of the container.

Preferably, the front wall of the inner frame is provided with a cut outportion at the upper edge of the inner frame. This enables moreconvenient access to the rod-shaped items within the container, withoutsignificantly reducing the surface area of the front wall of the innerframe.

Alternatively, or in addition to an inner frame, the rod-shaped itemswithin the container may be wrapped with an inner liner, which isvisible above the upper edge of the front wall of the box and the frontwall of the inner frame (if present) when the container is open.

Containers according to the invention may be in the shape of arectangular parallelepiped, with right-angled longitudinal andright-angled transverse edges. Alternatively, the container may compriseone or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges,bevelled longitudinal edges or bevelled transverse edges, orcombinations thereof. With regard to the bevelled edges, the bevellededges may be formed from two parallel folding lines or from twonon-parallel folding lines. For example the two non-parallel foldinglines may be a convex and a concave folding line, such that a lensshaped bevel is created. Alternatively, the two non-parallel foldinglines may be sine-wave shaped such that an S-shaped bevel is created bythe two non-parallel folding lines. Alternatively, the two non-parallelfolding lines may form a triangular or rhombic bevel. For the avoidanceof doubt, the bevelled edges may comprise a combination of bevelledsections and unbevelled sections along the edge.

For example, the container according to the invention may comprise,without limitation:

-   -   One or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the front        wall, and/or    -   One or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the back        wall.    -   One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front        wall, and/or    -   One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the back        wall.    -   One longitudinal rounded edge and one longitudinal bevelled edge        on the front wall, and/or    -   One transverse rounded edge and one transverse bevelled edge on        the back wall.    -   One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front        wall and one or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on        the front wall.    -   Two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on a first side wall        or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the second side        wall.

Where the container comprises one or more rounded edges and is made froma laminar blank, preferably the blank comprises three, four, five, sixor seven scoring lines or creasing lines to form the rounded edge in theassembled container. The scoring lines or creasing lines may be eitheron the inside of the container or on the outside of the container.Preferably, the scoring lines or creasing lines are spaced apart fromeach other by between about 0.3 mm and 4 mm.

Preferably, the spacing of the creasing lines or scoring lines is infunction of the thickness of the laminar blank. Preferably, the spacingbetween the creasing lines or scoring lines is between about 0.5 andabout 4 times larger than the thickness of the laminar blank.

Where the container comprises one or more bevelled edges, preferably thebevelled one or more edges have a width of between about 1 mm and about10 mm, preferably between about 2 and about 6 mm. Alternatively, thecontainer may comprise a double bevel formed by three parallel creasinglines or scoring lines that are spaced apart such that two distinctbevels form on the edge of the container.

Alternatively to a container with a rectangular transverse crosssection, the container may have a for example a polygonal cross sectionsuch as triangular, quadrangular or hexagonal, or a cross section whichis oval, semi-oval, circular or semi-circular.

Where the container comprises a bevelled edge and is made from a laminarblank, the bevel may be formed by two parallel creasing lines or scoringlines in the laminar blank. The creasing lines or scoring lines may bearranged symmetrically to the edge between a first wall and a secondwall. Alternatively, the creasing lines or scoring lines may be arrangedasymmetrically to the edge between the first wall and the second wall,such that the bevel extends further into the first wall of the containerthan into the second wall of the container.

The container may be formed from any suitable materials including, butnot limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or combinationsthereof. Preferably, the cardboard has a weight of between about 100grams per square metre and about 350 grams per square metre.

Containers according to the invention may be used as packages for avariety of rod-shaped items. In particularly preferred embodiments,containers according to the invention are used to package smokingarticles. Containers according to the invention may be advantageouslyused to package smoking articles including, but not limited to, knownlit-end cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos, heated smoking articlescomprising a combustible fuel element or heat source and anaerosol-generating substrate (for example cigarettes of the typedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,082) and smoking articles for use withelectrical smoking systems (for example cigarettes of the type disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,525).

Through an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, containersaccording to the invention may be designed to hold different totalnumbers of smoking articles, or different arrangements of smokingarticles. For example, through an appropriate choice of the dimensionsthereof, containers according to the invention may be designed to hold atotal of between ten and thirty smoking articles.

Containers according to the invention may hold one, two, three four orfive separate bundles of rod-shaped items. The separate bundles may bearranged substantially parallel to the front wall and to the back wallor substantially perpendicular to the front wall and to the back wall.

Within a bundle, the smoking articles may be arranged in differentcollations, depending on the total number of smoking articles, thedimensions of the smoking articles or the cross sectional shape of thecontainer. For example, the smoking articles may be arranged in a bundlein a single row of five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten. Alternatively,the smoking articles may be arranged in two or more rows. The two ormore rows may contain the same number of smoking articles. For example,the smoking articles may be arranged in: two rows of five, six, seven,eight, nine or ten; three rows of five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten;or four rows of four, five, six or seven. Alternatively, the two or morerows may include at least two rows containing different numbers ofsmoking articles to each other. For example, the smoking articles may bearranged in: a row of five and a row of six (5-6); a row of six and arow of seven (6-7); a row of seven and a row of eight (7-8); a middlerow of five and two outer rows of six (6-5-6); a middle row of five andtwo outer rows of seven (7-5-7); a middle row of six and two outer rowsof five (5-6-5); a middle row of six and two outer rows of seven(7-6-7); a middle row of seven and two outer rows of six (6-7-6); amiddle row of nine and two outer rows of eight (8-9-8); or a middle rowof six with one outer row of five and one outer row of seven (5-6-7).

Containers according to the present invention may hold smoking articlesof the same type or brand, or of different types or brands. In addition,both filterless smoking articles and smoking articles with variousfilter tips may be contained, as well as smoking articles of differinglength (for example, between about 40 mm and about 180 mm), diameter(for example, between about 4 mm and about 9 mm). In addition, thesmoking articles may differ in strength of taste, resistance to draw andtotal particulate matter delivery. Wherein the container comprises morethan one bundle, each bundle within the same container may hold the sameor different types of smoking articles as listed above.

Preferably, the dimensions of the container are adapted to the length ofthe smoking articles, and the collation of the smoking articles.Typically, the outer dimensions of the container are between about 0.5mm to about 5 mm larger than the dimensions of the bundle of smokingarticles housed inside the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a height ofbetween about 60 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a height ofbetween about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the height is measuredfrom the top wall to the bottom wall of the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a width ofbetween about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a width of betweenabout 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the width is measured from thefirst side wall to the second side wall of the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a depth ofbetween about 6 mm and about 100 mm, more preferably a depth of betweenabout 12 mm and about 25 mm wherein the depth is measured from the frontwall to the back wall of the container (comprising the hinge between boxand lid).

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the container to the depth of thecontainer is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1, morepreferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, most preferablybetween about 3 to 1 and 5 to 1.

Preferably, the ratio of the width of the container to the depth of thecontainer is in between about 1 to 1 and about 10 to 1, more preferablybetween about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, most preferably between about 2to 1 and 3 to 1.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the lid back wall to the heightof the box back wall is between about 0 to 1 (hinge located at the topedge of the container) to about 1 to 1, more preferably, between about 1to 5 and about 1 to 10, most preferably, between about 1 to 6 to about 1to 8.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the lid front wall to the heightof the box front wall is between about 1 to 0 (lid covering the entirefront wall) to about 1 to 10, more preferably, between about 1 to 1 andabout 1 to 5, most preferably, between about 1 to 2 and about 1 to 3.

The exterior surfaces of containers according to the invention may beprinted, embossed, debossed or otherwise embellished with manufactureror brand logos, trademarks, slogans and other consumer information andindicia. Alternatively, or in addition, the exterior surfaces ofcontainers according to the invention may be at least partially coveredwith lacquer, metallisation, holograms, luminescent material, or anyother materials that alter the feel, odour or appearance of thecontainer.

Where the inner housing of a container according to the presentinvention contains one or more bundles of smoking articles, the smokingarticles are preferably wrapped in an inner liner of, for example, metalfoil or metallised paper.

Where the container comprises smoking articles, the container mayfurther comprise waste-compartments (for example for ash or butts) orother rod-shaped items, for example matches, lighters, extinguishingmeans, breath-fresheners or electronics. The other rod-shaped items maybe attached to the outside of the container, contained within thecontainer along with the smoking articles, in a separate compartment ofthe container or combinations thereof.

Once filled, containers according to the invention may be shrink wrappedor otherwise over wrapped with a transparent polymeric film of, forexample, high or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, orientedpolypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose film, or combinationsthereof in a conventional manner. Where containers according to theinvention are over wrapped, the over wrapper may include a tear tape.The tear tape is preferably positioned around the container below thelower edge of the front wall of the lid, such that once the tear tapehas been removed, the lid is free to be lifted or in some embodiments tobe pivoted about the hinge line. Alternatively, the tear tape may beprovided lengthways around the container.

The invention will now be further explained by means of exemplaryembodiments, which are shown in the following Figures:

FIG. 1 shows a closed container according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 shows a container with a lifted lid according to the embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a container with a lifted and pivoted open lid and onelifted smoking article;

FIG. 4 shows a cross section through a container according to theembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a blank for a connecting means for a container according toan embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 shows a blank for an inner frame for a container according to anembodiment of the invention.

In FIG. 1, a container 1 according to an embodiment of the invention isshown in a perspective view. The container 1 comprises a lid 2, which isarranged on top of a box 3. The outer appearance of the container 1 maybe the same or similar to a standard cigarette package. However, the lid2 can be vertically slid in the sliding direction 100 from a firstlowermost position as shown in FIG. 1 to a second lifted position asshown in FIG. 2. The box 3 comprises an inner frame 4, which is arrangedon the inside of the outer walls of the box 3, and protrudes in thevertical direction from the remaining box outer walls. In particular,the inner frame 4 is formed from a separate blank than the remaining box3. Preferably, the inner frame 4 is fixed by means of adhesive towardsthe inside of the outer walls of the box.

The container box 3 comprises a front wall 5, a left side wall, a rightside wall 6, a back wall 7, and a bottom wall 8. The lid 2 comprises alid front wall 9, a lid right side wall 10, a lid left side wall, a lidtop wall 11 and a lid back wall 12. The inner frame 4 comprises a frontwall 13, a right side wall 14, a right back wall 15, a left side wall 16and a left back wall 17 (see as well FIG. 6). The right back wall 15 andthe left back wall 17 are arranged in a distance with respect to eachother, such that a recess is provided in between the right back wall 15and left back wall 17, which extends from the upper side of the innerframe 4 until the upper side of the outer back wall 7 of the box 3. Theright and left back walls 15, 17 are provided at the upper portion ofthe right and left side walls 14,16 of the inner frame 4, and areshorter in the vertical direction than the side walls 14, 16 of theinner frame 4. The inner frame 4 may further comprise a bottom wallwhich foldingly depends from the inner frame front wall 13 and isarranged adjacent and parallel to the bottom wall 8 of the box 3.

The inner frame front wall 13 is arranged adjacent to and inside the boxfront wall 5 and fixed by means of adhesive to same. Similarly, theinner frame right side wall 14 is arranged on the inside and adjacent tothe box right side wall 6 and inner frame left side wall 16 is arrangedadjacent to the box inside the left side wall. The right back wall 15and the left back wall 17 are both arranged adjacent to and inside thebox back wall 7. Thus, a small step having the height of the thicknessof the box blank is provided at the upper edges of the outer box walls5, 6, 7. As the lid 2 has substantially the same width and depth as thebox 3, a container 1 with flush outer walls can be provided.

As can be seen in the two different positions of the lid as shown inFIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the lid 2 is slidable with respect to the inner frame4 of the box 3. When the lid 2 is in the second lifted position as shownin FIG. 2, it is pivotable with respect to box 3. In particular, a hingeline 18 is provided near the lower end of the lid back wall 12.

The lid 2 cannot be pivoted around the hinge line 8 when the lid is inthe first lowermost position as inner frame 4 is arranged in the lid 2.The inner frame 4 extends less into the lid 2, when the lid 2 is in thesecond lifted position, such that a pivoting of the lid 2 is possible.Thus, when the lid 2 is hinged to the back, the container 1 is in anopened state as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the rod-shaped items 19, in theform of smoking articles, are accessible at the top of the container.

According to the invention, the lifting motion of the lid 2 effects alifting motion of at least one of the rod-shaped items 19, which willthus be lifted with respect to the other rod-shaped items as shown forone rod-shaped item 19 is in the form of smoking article in FIG. 3.

The lifting feature will now be further explained with respect to FIG. 4showing a central cross section through the container 1 from the rightside. The container encloses longitudinally extending rod-shaped items19 in the form of smoking articles, namely cigarettes, which arearranged in between the box front wall 5 and the box back wall 7.Further, a connecting means 20 is arranged at least partially in the box3. The connecting means 20 is slidable with respect to the box 3 in thevertical direction. The connecting means 20 comprises at its upper end alid fixation panel 21 on which the lid 2 is fixed, preferably by meansof adhesive. Below the lid fixation panel 21, the hinge line 18 isprovided, which is preferably a folding line.

In the present embodiment, the connecting means 20 is formed from aseparate blank as shown in FIG. 5 and then fixed to the lid 2. However,in other embodiments the connecting means 20 and the lid 2 may be formedfrom one blank.

Generally, the box 3 and the lid 2 are formed from blanks comprisingseveral panels by means of folding the respective panels along foldinglines and fixing same with adhesive.

The lid fixation panel 21 depends via the hinge line 18 from a centralpanel 22 of the connecting means 20, which generally extends adjacentand parallel to the back wall 7 of the box 3. At the lower end of thecentral panel 22, an engagement flap 23 is provided. The engagement flap23 substantially extends in the horizontal direction and is arrangedbelow the lower end of the at least one rod-shaped item 19, which is tobe lifted by the lifting feature. In particular, the engagement flap 23depends via a folding line 24 from the central panel 22. Thus, when thelid 2 is lifted in the lifting direction 100, the connecting means 20moves together with the lid 2, and lifts the at least one rod-shapeditem 19 in the form of a smoking article as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, thesmoking article will be lifted to the lifted position as shown in FIG.3.

The hinge line 18 of the lid 2 is arranged in the region of the recessprovided in between the back walls of the inner frame 4, such that theconnecting means 20 and the lid 2 can be connected. Thus, the connectionin between the connecting means 20 and the lid 2 extends through thisrecess in between the back walls 15, 17 of the inner frame 4. Inparticular, the width of the hinge line 18 and the respective part ofthe lid fixation panel 21 which extends through the recess may besubstantially the same as the width of the recess, such that the recessprovides a guide for the connecting means 20.

In FIG. 5, a blank for forming the connecting means 20 is shown in aplan view. The connecting means 20 comprises the central panel 22,wherein the lid fixation panel 21 depends via a folding line 18 from thecentral panel at the top thereof. The lid fixation panel 21 may comprisetapered edges, to facilitate the insertion process into the lid.

Furthermore, the engagement flap 23 depends via a folding line 24 at thebottom of the central panel 22. In contrast to the embodiment as shownin FIG. 3, the engagement flap 23 extends across the whole width of thecentral panel 22. Thus, not only one rod-shaped item, but a whole row ofrod-shaped items in the form of smoking articles will be lifted by suchthe connecting means 20, namely the row of rod-shaped items adjacent tothe back wall 7 of the box 3.

To further guide the sliding movement of the connecting means 20 in thevertical direction 100 and to provide a dead stop, a right side flap 25and a left side flap 26 are provided. The side flaps are arranged at thelower side end of the central panel 22 and depend from the central panel22 via a folding line 27, 28. The folding lines 27, 28 substantiallyextend in the longitudinal direction. The folding lines 27, 28 arearranged further outside in the width direction than the side edges ofthe central panel 22.

From the lower end of both side flaps 25, 26, a connecting tab 29, 30depends via a folding line 31, 32. The connecting tab 29, 30, isadjacent to the engagement flap 23, but separated therefrom by means ofa cutting line 33, 34.

Both side flaps 25, 26 and the engagement flap 23, will be foldedtowards the front around their respective folding lines 24, 27, 28, suchthat the engagement flap 23 and both side flaps 25, 26 are arrangedsubstantially perpendicular to the central panel 22. The connecting tabs29, 30 are folded such that they extend parallel to and adjacent to theengagement flap 23 and are connected to same by means of adhesive. Thus,the engagement flap 23 and the side flaps 25, 26 are fixed in thisarrangement. The engagement flap 23 can apply the sufficient liftingforce to the respective rod-shaped items 19.

In other embodiments, it is also possible to provide engagement flaps orengagement means which are in a distance to the central panel 22, suchthat the middle row or the front row of rod-shaped items, namely smokingarticles, in a container can be lifted. In particular, these engagementmeans can be engagement flaps, which depend foldingly from the sideflaps 25, 26.

The side flaps 25, 26 are arranged in between the box side walls 6 andthe side walls 14, 16 of the inner frame 4. In the second liftedposition of the connecting means 20, the side flaps 25, 26 come intocontact with the back wall 7 of the flaps 15, 17 of the inner frame 4,such that a dead stop is provided.

In FIG. 6, a blank for forming the inner frame 4 is shown in a planview. The blank comprises the front wall 13, the right side wall 14, theright back wall 15, the left side wall 16, and the left back wall 17,depending from each other via longitudinal folding lines. The innerframe 4 may further comprise a bottom panel, adapted to be arrangedadjacent to the bottom wall 8 of the box 3, and connected to same toenable a stronger fixation of the inner frame 4 in the box 3, such thatthe inner frame 4 is not torn out of the box 3, when the connectingmeans 20 engages the dead stop. In particular, the back walls 15, 17 ofthe inner frame 4 are shorter than the side walls 14, 16 thereof. Theside walls 14, 16 of the inner frame 4 may in particular extend untilthe bottom wall 8 of the box 3. Preferably the front wall 9 of the innerframe 4 extends towards the bottom wall 8 of the box 3 as well, as it isthe connecting means 20 of the side walls 14 of the inner frame 4, andthus provides stability to the side walls 14, 16. Preferably, no glue isprovided in between the side walls 14 of the inner frame 4 and the sidewalls 6 of the box 3, such that the side flaps 25, 26 can move inbetween the side walls 14, 16 of the inner frame 4 and the side walls 6of the box 3. Alternatively or additionally to the provision of theinner frame back walls 15, 17 as a dead stop, the side walls 14, 16 ofthe inner frame 4 can be fixed to box side walls 6 only in an upper endportion thereof, such that this fixation provides a dead stop for theside flaps 25, 26.

While the aforementioned embodiments relate to containers folded fromblanks, in particular cardboard blanks, the invention may also beapplied to containers of a different material, for example plastic ormetal containers. These containers may be formed from sheet material, ormay also, at least for plastic containers, be formed by means ofinjection moulding.

Not shown in the Figures, the rod-shaped items may be comprised in aninner liner, in particular made from aluminium foil, metalized paper, orthe like, which is provided with weakening lines or cutting lines, toenable a relative movement of the rod-shaped items with respect to eachother.

After some of the smoking articles have been extracted from thecontainer, the container can be held in a way that the remaining smokingarticles are arranged on the lifting means by means of gravity, suchthat the lifting feature may be used for all smoking articles in thecontainer.

1. A container for rod-shaped items, comprising a box and a lid, whereinthe box comprises an opening at the top, a sheet-like connecting elementconnected to the lid, the sheet-like connecting element is arrangedvertically slidable relative to the box, such that the lid and theconnecting element are movable from a lower position to an upperposition, wherein the connecting element is adapted to vertically liftat least one rod-shaped item by a predetermined distance when the lid ismoved from the lower position to the upper position and the connectingelement comprises a central panel, and the lid pivotably depends fromthe upper side of the central panel and the central panel of theconnecting element is arranged adjacent to the inner side of the backwall of the box.
 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein thecontainer is adapted to prevent a pivotable movement of the lid in thelower position.
 3. The container according to claim 1, wherein in thelower position and in the upper position the container is openable bypivoting the lid with respect to the connecting element.
 4. (canceled)5. (canceled)
 6. The container according to claim 1, wherein at leastone engagement flap depends via a folding line from the central paneland is adapted to engage with at least one rod-shaped item in thecontainer.
 7. The container according to claim 6, wherein the at leastone engagement flap depends from a lower portion of the central panel,and wherein the engagement flap is adapted to engage with at least onerod-shaped item.
 8. The container according to claim 6, wherein theengagement flap extends along the whole width of the central panel. 9.The container according to claim 1, wherein the central panel furthercomprises a side flap, wherein the side flap is depending from atransverse edge of the central panel, where the side flap extends atleast partially parallel to a side wall of the box.
 10. The containeraccording to claim 9, wherein the side flap is connected to the at leastone engagement flap.
 11. The container according to claim 1, wherein aninner frame is arranged in the box, and the connecting element and theinner frame are adapted such that a dead stop for the connecting elementis provided on the inner frame.
 12. The container according to claim 1,wherein the back wall of the box comprises a substantially rectangularrecess, wherein the recess has a width corresponding substantially tothe width of the hinge line connecting the connecting element and thelid.
 13. The container according to claim 12, wherein the box comprisesan inner frame which is fixed to the inside of the walls of the box,wherein the inner frame provides the substantially rectangular recess.14. The container according to claim 1, wherein an engagement element isarranged slidably within the connecting element, the engagement elementbeing adapted to engage at least one rod-shaped item and to remainstationary in a first stage of the lifting movement of the connectingelement means by sliding with respect to the connecting element, whereinthe engagement element is further adapted to engage and move with theconnecting element during a second stage of the lifting movement of theconnecting element, such that it lifts the at least one rod-shaped item.15. The container according to claim 1, wherein a front panel dependsfrom the front of the side flaps and extends parallel and adjacent tothe inner side of the front wall of the box, and wherein an engagementelement is provided on the front panel.
 16. The container according toclaim 2, wherein at least one engagement flap depends via a folding linefrom the central panel and is adapted to engage with at least onerod-shaped item in the container.
 17. The container according to claim3, wherein at least one engagement flap depends via a folding line fromthe central panel and is adapted to engage with at least one rod-shapeditem in the container.
 18. The container according to claim 7, whereinthe engagement flap extends along the whole width of the central panel.19. The container according to claim 2, wherein the central panelfurther comprises a side flap, wherein the side flap is depending from atransverse edge of the central panel, where the side flap extends atleast partially parallel to a side wall of the box.
 20. The containeraccording to claim 3, wherein the central panel further comprises a sideflap, wherein the side flap is depending from a transverse edge of thecentral panel, where the side flap extends at least partially parallelto a side wall of the box.
 21. The container according to claim 2,wherein an inner frame is arranged in the box, and the connectingelement the inner frame are adapted such that a dead stop for theconnecting element is provided on the inner frame.
 22. The containeraccording to claim 3, wherein an inner frame is arranged in the box, andthe connecting element and the inner frame are adapted such that a deadstop for the connecting element is provided on the inner frame.